MSU Billings students treat children to Halloween fun

Ghosts, flowers and pirates from around the county invited to take part!

MSU BILLINGS NEWS SERVICES — On any other day of the week, the residence halls at Montana State University Billings are home to 500 college students. But just in time for Halloween fun this week, the term “dorm life” takes on a new meaning.

Students who live in the residence halls, their resident assistants and other volunteers will turn Petro Hall and Rimrock Hall into fun, safe and warm trick-or-treating venues on Wednesday, Oct. 28. The event runs from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and is open to the community.

This is the third year that the MSU Billings housing crew has offered the trick-or-treating venue and Jeff Rosenberry, assistant director of housing and residential life at MSU Billings, said he anticipates a lot of interest because it gives youngsters and their families a great venue to have fun and fill goody bags before the busy weekend.

“We just want to offer a safe and fun place for kids to trick-or-treat and hope they come up and have a good time,” he said.

With a bit of cold and snow predicted for the remainder of Halloween week, parents and smaller trick-or-treaters could be in search of warm place to troll for candy earlier in the week.

Last year, more than 400 trick-or-treaters came through the dorms, Rosenberry said, and he and the RAs are planning for a similar turnout this year.

Punch and cookies will be available at the Rimrock Hall and Petro Hall main entryways for parents and children who are waiting their turns through the halls. Students and their RAs will decorate the halls and provide guided tours for each group. Petro Hall will be more light-hearted and geared for younger children while Rimrock Hall “will be like haunted house,” Rosenberry said.

The event is funded by the Associated Students of MSU Billings, the residence hall staff and volunteer donations.

For more information, contact the MSU Billings Housing Office at 657-2333.